Model brings Shipyard to life

Thursday

May 3, 2007 at 12:01 AMMay 3, 2007 at 3:18 AM

The full-scale model of the development proposed for 27.5 acres of the former Hingham Shipyard site, complete with theater, health club, day care center, restaurants, retail/commercial uses, and the north and south residential buildings, captured the interest of board members and other interested citizens.

Carol Britton Meyer

The full-scale model of the development proposed for 27.5 acres of the former Hingham Shipyard site, complete with theater, health club, day care center, restaurants, retail/commercial uses, and the north and south residential buildings, captured the interest of board members and other interested citizens.

The model features a brick building with a clock tower -- visible from the entrance off Route. 3A -- which gives a sense of the overall experience that awaits those who visit the site to shop, dine, enjoy the ocean views, or just stroll around. A key feature is the two-acre waterfront park. The developer, Samuels and Associates, Inc., is hoping for a Fall 2008 opening date.

The model, which will ultimately be refined to reflect any further architectural changes, was set up at a recent hearing scheduled to continue the site plan review.

It will be on display again at the next joint hearing of the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals on Mon., May 14, at 7 p.m. at Town Hall. This will provide another opportunity for those interested in the project to experience its look and feel from all sides. The model gives a clear perspective of the scope and scale of the project.

Samuels’ plan to create a mixed-use “village” on part of the site is moving forward as the two boards continue their review of the project. Approval in the form of a Special Permit is required because the current proposal is different from the original approved filing.

“We’re getting close on everything,” said Town Planner Katy Lacy. The outstanding issues still to be resolved include the architectural elevation of the residential buildings, some civil engineering issues, drainage on the Samuels portion of the property, and what off-site mitigation will be required of the developer, such as Beal Street improvements, she said.

“Having watched this project develop over the past 10 years, I can see that [Seachain, LLC developer] Paul Trendowicz’s original vision for the property has definitely become better through the input of the community, town boards, and the expertise of Samuels,” said Samuels spokesperson Martin Cohn. “It’s a project we all can be proud of.”

Project Architect David Manfredi has paid particular attention to the views that will be seen not only by pedestrians walking along Shipyard Drive but also by boaters from the harbor. There are also a number of roofline variations — ranging from flat to pitched. Mechanical equipment used for heating, air conditioning, and other purposes placed on the tops of buildings will be screened from sight.

Snow removal, boat storage, and the creation of loading zones to separate moving vans and delivery trucks from the main traffic flow and from pedestrians are under discussion.

“I can’t stand it when delivery trucks stop in the middle of [busy] North Street [in downtown Hingham],” said Planning Board member Sarah Corey. “I don’t want this to happen on Shipyard Drive.”

Principal Joel Sklar said on-site security staff will be on duty from morning until late in the evening, except in the public right-of-way, to address any issues that might arise. Some matters could only be addressed by the Hingham police, however, since security officers aren’t allowed to issue parking tickets when someone parks in a loading zone, for instance. Some parking may be allowed in loading zones during off-peak hours.

Hingham Police Sgt. Glenn Olsson noted, “We’ll be down there for a significant amount of time. We may have to devote one car to the area.”

The reality, Sklar said, is that Shipyard Drive is a public roadway: “Some services will be provided by the Hingham police, and our security force will work with them to help enforce the traffic laws.”